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How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK Doctors can refer you to an NHS ADHD assessment. If you're waiting for a long time, consult your GP to use Right to Choose law which gives patients the right to choose their provider. A psychiatrist will conduct an interview to evaluate your symptoms and impact on various aspects of your life. They might ask for your school and childhood histories as well as reports. Find a psychiatrist They can prescribe medications for ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you are insured the visits of your psychiatrist should be covered. If you're unsure if you have a psychiatrist in your network, call your insurance provider to find out. You could also ask your GP to refer you to a psychiatric specialist or search online for local services. If you don't have insurance, you can opt to use a private service. Make sure the Psychiatrist has been licensed and is experienced in dealing with ADHD patients. Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what someone suffering from ADHD looks like. This can be problematic when trying to establish an assessment. In addition, many medical professionals are not trained in adult ADHD and do not have much practical experience in dealing with it. You'll have to do some research to locate an adult ADHD expert who is able to accurately identify your symptoms. It is essential to build an enduring relationship with your psychiatrist after you have identified one. This is especially important if you are planning to begin taking medication to treat your ADHD. Think about getting a new psychiatrist in case you are not comfortable with the one you currently have. While it is essential to be comfortable with your doctor however, you shouldn't be forced to accept less than you're entitled to. Your doctor could refer you to an adult specialist with ADHD to conduct a clinical assessment. The process usually involves a questionnaire and an interview with the psychologist regarding your ADHD symptoms in various social settings. The psychologist will then analyze your results and determine whether you meet the requirements for an adult ADHD diagnosis. In England you can choose which location to get your NHS assessments. You can choose from a list of NHS providers provided by the NHS. Some of these providers offer online assessments for adults which can cut waiting times by a considerable amount. Ask your GP If you have an GP who has a thorough understanding of ADHD, they may be willing to refer you to the NHS to receive an assessment. In the UK this will involve a clinical interview with a psychiatrist or psychologist (not a nurse) which will comprise questionnaires regarding ADHD symptoms, your medical history and your family mental health history. It is also possible that neuropsychological tests will be performed in conjunction with the interview. This will provide an accurate picture of your strengths, weaknesses, and comorbid conditions that may influence your ADHD. Your GP can help you by writing a letter stating that he's referring you to an assessment under Right to Choose. You can print out an example and present it to your GP. If they decline for any reason, it could be worth changing your GP. This is particularly relevant if you intend to apply for an Shared Care Agreement in the future. If your GP will agree to the referral, there will be a brief wait before you can meet with the specialist. Making preparations for the interview is crucial because it will be focused on your ADHD symptoms and how they are affecting your life at present. You'll be asked to present examples and be prepared to talk about how you've been performing in different areas of your life. Once you have been formally diagnosed, your doctor will provide advice on the best treatment options. This could include talk therapies and behavioral interventions, as well as prescription drugs. You will be advised about how to manage your ADHD and receive an assessment with recommendations for continued care. If you are a student at a university, your specialist may recommend an arrangement for shared-care with your GP in order to prescribe medication for you. There are a lot of professionals in the UK who don't have much knowledge about ADHD. This includes doctors and nurses, as well as psychologists. This makes it difficult to get an accurate diagnosis or get treatment. You might be told you don't need treatment since you are not hyperactive. Or that adults don’t get treated. Or that children don't be able to overcome ADHD. It can be difficult to find a specialist who can listen and understand your condition. Right to choose If you reside in England, and your GP agrees that you should be referred for an ADHD assessment by a third party, then you have the right to choose which provider. This is referred to as the 'Right to Choice'. The only condition is that the provider has an NHS Standard Contract with your CCG or NHS England for the required service. It is also recommended that you find out about waiting times for the service of your choice prior to deciding to contact them. You can find out more by contacting the provider directly or asking your GP. It is important to note that GPs are only general practitioners, and therefore are not experts in diagnosing mental health problems such as adult ADHD. Therefore, you may need convince your GP that you should be referred by an expert for an ADHD assessment. If you are unable to do this then the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can download and print to give your GP. It includes quotes from the NICE 87 guidance which state that a GP cannot refuse to diagnose ADHD and that only an expert can make this diagnosis. It is also advisable to ask your GP about the current waiting times for an ADHD assessment. If the waiting times are too long, you can utilize your Right to Choose and select a different provider. You will be asked to complete the questionnaire, and then attend an interview when you visit have your ADHD assessed. The interview will typically be conducted by a psychiatrist or a specialist nurse. The interview will focus on your past experiences with ADHD and how it has affected your life. The interview will also look at your current symptoms. You should prepare for this interview in advance and have someone from your family present to support. Ask your GP about options for medications. They might not wish to prescribe stimulants but they must be reminded that there are non-stimulant drugs that can be used to manage ADHD symptoms. They include the drugs methylphenidate (Ritalin) as well as dexamphetamine and Atomoxetine (Strateva). You can also try cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy to treat adults with ADHD. Private Assessment You can have an assessment privately if you don't want to wait for the NHS or if your GP has preconceived beliefs about what ADHD is (this is an issue that is becoming more prevalent particularly for women or people of color, as well as those who were born female). Psychiatry-UK is the main provider. They have a guide on their website with templates you can provide to a GP. They also have an inventory of providers on their site and many of them provide online diagnosis as well as in person. A private assessment is likely to be a little longer than a typical psychiatric visit and include an in-depth interview. The interview will cover a variety of aspects of your life and how your symptoms are affecting your current performance. They will also look at your symptoms in various environments and situations. It is usually helpful when you have a family member or friend to give feedback. The psychiatrist will then review their findings and issue an assessment. They will let you know if they believe that you meet the ADHD criteria or if another condition best explains your symptoms (traits). If they do not believe you meet the criteria, they will let you know why and you can ask for a referral. After you have received a diagnosis, you are able to then decide if you want to pursue the route of medication or not. You'll need to discuss the matter with your GP. You may be able get a shared-care agreement for medication via your GP. This could save you money over the course of time. It is not recommended to rely solely on the internet for an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tools as they could be inaccurate. It is essential to receive a professional, objective assessment to ensure that you get the best possible results. Depending on the severity of your symptoms and whether you are willing to take medication, other support could be available. For instance, if you are a student, you can receive an assessment from your university. They can provide you with reasonable adjustments and Disability Students' Allowance.